Complaint against legal practitioner

Formal complaint Against Mr. Mariba for ********* Conduct and Imcompetent Legal Services

To whom it May Concern,

I am writing to formally report Mr. Mariba for ********* behavior , *********** service delivery, and misconduct during his handling of my legal matter. His actions have caused me significant emotional and financial distress, and I believe his conduct falls far below the professional and ethical standards required of a legal practitioner.

Background of the Matter on December 9,2024, I approached the Germiston Court seeking legal advice for a sensitive legal issue. During my visit , Mr Mariba overheard my conversation with a friend and offered his assistance. I disclosed that i had opened a case against my partner and the woman he was involved with due to a physical altercation between the three of us. Following this, the woman opened a case against me, which she later wished to withdraw. However, her investigating officer refused to process the withdrawal, prompting my search for legal guidance.

Engagement with Mr. Mariba Promising of Service: Mr. Maiba assured me he could resolve the issue by December 11,2024, the date of my partner's bail hearing. He requested an upfront payment of R3,500 but accepted R2,500, which I paid via electronic transfer. Initial Steps: I had already written my withdrawal statement and only assisted the woman to write hers and promising that submitting these would resolve the matter. He advised me to go home and assured me he would "sort everything out". Failure to Deliver: On December 11, he claimed the statements had been submitted and left the court premises mid-proceedings. However, I later discovered he had not submitted the woman's withdrawal statement, and the police continued to pursue me. Unprofessional Conduct Lack of Communication: When I reached out to him for updates, he became dismissive, responding sporadically via WhatsApp. Refusal to Refund: Despite his failure to deliver the promised services, he refused to refund the R2,500, stating it was for "consultation" and "effort". Threatening Behavior: When I requested the woman's statement to address the matter myself, he became angry, insulted me, and threatened me with arrest. ************: Most recently, he sent a demand letter for an additional R1,000, falsely claiming it was a discounted amount I had agreed to. This appears to be an attempt to intimidate me further. Impact of His Conduct Due to Mr . Mariba's negligence and misconduct:

My case remains unresonved, requiring further intervention from the National Procecuting Authority (NPA). I have suffered significant emotional stress, financial loss, and wasted time. I feel betrayed and exploited by someone who was supposed to act in my best interests as a legal professional. Request for Investigation and Action I respectfully request that the Law Society of South Africa or the appropriate governing body:

Investigate: Launch an inquiry into Mr. Mariba's conduct in this matter. Disciplinary Action: Impose disciplinary measures to prevent others from being similarly exploited. Compensation: Ensure that I am refunded the R2,500 paid for services that were not delivered . Supporting Evidence I am prepared to provide the following documentation to support my complaint:

Proof of payment (R2,500) to Mr. Mariba. WhatsApp conversations and other communications with him. any additional documents or evidence requested . Conclusion Mr. Mariba's behavior has been unprofessional, *********, and exploitative. I trust that the relevant authorities will address this matter seriously and take appropriate action to ensure accountability.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, Pearl NP Sithole *** 20.01.2024